And so, the Specialists Quadrilogy begins.
I put an identical set of questions to four teams yesterday; four teams who, along with HHK, make up Task Force Exorbitance – or TF EXO – a Norwegian USSOF impressionista super-team.
First to complete the exercise was Rune – acting on behalf of Hermes Medical Team…
Rune – welcome to the blog! Tell me about Hermes.
Hermes started out when HHK, Arquebus and Tasgeir decided to start Task Force Exorbitance. Tasgeir, who’s been playing airsoft forever, was putting together a PJ kit and decided to start a medic team to take the stress off the medics in HHK.
You could say TF EXO is built around supporting HHK. Tasgeir set the bar sky high with his impression, to filter out those who didn’t have enough dedication. He found a few crazies who would join him and he purposely kept the circle small; since a pararescue team is never bigger than 4-6 personnel in real life.
Quality before quantity!
So, Hermes’ speciality is medical. If we see someone get hit, we get them back in the fight. That’s our sole purpose. It might sound boring to some, but we go the extra mile. Genuine medic packs with genuine contents. We’re talking litters, NAR bandages, chest seals, IVs, splints, subtle roleplay and so on.
Most of the team had medical experience, gained serving in the Norwegian army. However, some of us didn’t have any experience at all; its not a must have. We only demand that our potential members have a willingness to learn and the patience to role play without it feeling super awkward.
We try to make our medical treatments as genuine and credible as possible, to give players the best possible experience. New members get shown the ropes and are instructed in what we expect of them; how to behave around hit players, and how to role play their treatments without it getting uncomfortable for everyone.
Call it selflessness, but we want to relieve our assaulters from tasks that might slow them down; we want HHK to be as efficient as possible, and its really fun. Being a medic is what you make it. You could be one of those guys who just grabs your patient, telsl him to run with you to cover, and simply puts a white rag on him while holding hands for a minute or so.
Conversely, you could choose to be one of those guys who tells the SAWs to set up a perimeter, lay down suppressive fire, get the patient on a litter, walk to cover while BBs fly around you, do a proper medical drill on your patient and treat the “wounds” realistically; with real bandages, tourniqets, IVs…but don’t give a shit about the healing time, you are done when you are done. You can only suspend disbelief so far and keep things workable.
How does Hermes’ role change at more casual skirmishes?
Hermes’ role doesn’t change that much. We might choose lighter kit, but we still do a proper medical drill even if we don’t have to, because we think it’s fun, and so do most of the players we encounter. We’re less strict with our gear and behaviour if we’re not with the full team and/or TF EXO, but we still try to make the best of every situation, as it’s a constant opportunity to learn more!
What guides Hermes’ loadout?
Hermes is reenacting the 38th Rescue Squadron, timeperiod 2012-2014, with some small modifications since we are not rolling in a Blackhawk.
Does Hermes standardise on an airsoft weapons platform?
Hermes uses the Tokyo Marui NGRS M4. The rest of TF EXO also use the NGRS M4 or HK416, so if we run into contact and use alot of ammunition, we can share magazines. No one goes empty.
(Photo credit Roar Stene)
What’s the most useful kit you carry as individuals?
The most useful kit is the medic pack. We can treat real injuries both in and off game, and we have the experience to treat most airsoft/hiking related injuries.
Lastly, what makes a great milsim event?
A great milsim event is one where the story and missions are proportional to the amount of players. Nukes and the end of the world seem kinda lame and unrealistic if there’s only 20 players on the field, if you catch my drift.
Proper rules such as ammo limitations, “realistic” medic rules and no death rags – but instead having players screaming and playing wounded; LARPing convincingly where it fits and not the awkward kind where it’s all tears and crying for mom.
The teams should be are well organized with CoC. Kits should on point and there should be no micro-scripting or interference from the scenario designers. A lot of hype before game start is not a bad thing, either.
Massive thanks to Rune for being interviewed and for providing pics! Also thanks to Roar Stene for his contribution to there pics.
The second instalment of the Specialists Quadrilogy will be released, soon.
The Reptile House 